Coal Valley F.D. Joining Fight Against Elliott Aviation

Coal Valley Fire Department has decided to join forces with the Moline School District to fight against Elliott Aviation.

The volunteer fire department voted in a board meeting Tuesday morning to petition to intervene on the lawsuit soon to be filed by the Moline School District. The tax exemption for Elliott Aviation will cost the Coal Valley Fire Protection District $15,000 a year.

It is about 5% of their annual budget, a budget that comes merely from property taxes.

“It’s all going to fall back on the home owner and it just seems like the big guy is getting away scot-free and I just don’t think it’s fair,” says board trustee, Gerry Stahr.

The board and its attorney expressed concern about this starting a trend for other large businesses.

“Precedent is a concern and we hope to stop that,” attorney Derek Hancks says.

Hancks believes they have a good case but says he never assumes in this business.

“I have to believe in faith that we have a strong position and we will have to see what the judges think about it.”